Arod in big test as York's Ebor meeting opens

Six horses will go to post, and Arod (pictured right) cannot be ignored following some fine efforts this season - after a maiden win in April he was second over today's course and distance in the Dante Stakes, fourth in the Investec Derby at Epsom and then hacked up in a conditions race at Leicester. That easy win last time out was an ideal booster after his Epsom exertions, and when jockey Jamie Spencer rode the colt in a spin on the July course at Newmarket last week he reported: "He feels great and couldn't be in better shape."

However, the competition is seriously hot. It includes Australia, who won the Derby and then the Irish Derby, and who was well clear of Arod at Epsom.

The second and third from the recent QIPCO-sponsored Gr.1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot - Telescope and Mukhadram - are in the field, as is The Grey Gatsby, who won the Dante when Arod was second, and then took the Gr.1 Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby). Even today's 50/1 outsider, Kingfisher, is no mug, for he finished second in the Irish Derby on his most recent start, albeit easily beaten by his stablemate, Australia.

A top-three finish would be a fine effort by Arod, who was purchased by David Redvers Bloodstock as a yearling at Goffs in Ireland. Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has won the prize twice thanks to Rodrigo De Triano (1992) and Authorized (2007).

There will be plenty of other Qatar Racing runners at York's four-day meeting which starts this afternoon. Tomorrow the Stuart Kittow-trained Noble Protector will tackle the Listed Galtres Stakes on her first start for the team following a private purchase, whileGaudy will run in the valuable DBS Premier Stakes.

Pearl Secret, Extortionist and Hot Streak all hold entries in Friday's big event, the Gr.1 Nunthorpe Stakes, while another new recruit, Pallasator, is favourite for the week's featured handicap, the Ebor, run on Saturday.

Pictures by Laurence Squire